Fence Stretcher

ABSTRACT

A fence stretcher for use in building fences that can be used by one person and is able to stretch fence wire under a constant tension. The fence stretcher has a winch assembly to which a tensioning cable is connected. A wire grabber is attached to the tensioning cable and is used to securely hold the fence wire. The winch assembly is used to stretch the fence wire such that the fence wire is tensioned, at which point a brake assembly is engaged. The brake assembly allows the fence wire to be fed to the user at the user&#39;s desired tension level. A mount assembly allows the present invention to be attached to a brace structure at the desired height for laying the fence. The fence stretcher is able to automatically feed any type of wire or cable across any type of terrain while following the contours of the terrain.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/684,483 filed on Aug. 17, 2012.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for laying fences. More specifically, the present invention is an apparatus for use in building fences which is able to stretch fence wire at a user's desired tension level and is able to automatically feed any type of wire or cable across any type of terrain while following the contours of the terrain.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Current products on the market may provide an apparatus for laying fence over uneven terrain, however, these devices require two people to lay the fence in an efficient manner. One individual is needed to operate the device and keep the fence wire stretched at the desired tension, while a second individual is needed to attach the fence wire to tee posts or similar structures. As the device itself only requires one person to operate, it is possible for a single person to lay the fence by themselves. This process is tedious and time consuming though, as the single individual must constantly walk back and forth between the device and the tee post to which they are securing the fence wire. Even when two individuals are laying fence it is difficult to ensure that the tension in the fence wire is constant between tee posts. Inconsistent tension in the fence wire can result in premature failure of the fence, thus it is critical to the stability of the fence for the fence wire to be stretched evenly along the length of the fence.

Therefore it is the object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for use in building fences that can be used by one person and is able to stretch fence wire under a constant tension. The present invention includes a winch assembly to which a tensioning cable is connected. A wire grabber is attached to the tensioning cable and is used to securely hold the fence wire. The winch assembly is used to stretch the fence wire such that the fence wire is tensioned, at which point a brake assembly is engaged. The brake assembly allows the fence wire to be fed to the user at the user's desired tension level. A mount assembly allows the present invention to be attached to a brace structure at the desired height for laying the fence. The present invention is able to automatically feed any type of wire or cable across any type of terrain while following the contours of the terrain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the present invention showing the pair of brake pads engaging the brake disc.

FIG. 4 is a back elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a left side elevational view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a left side sectional view of the present invention showing the pawl engaging the gear end.

FIG. 10 is a right side perspective view of the present invention with the winch crank alternatively attached directly to the winch shaft.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a fence stretcher that is used to lay fence over any type of terrain. In reference to FIG. 1-2, the fence stretcher comprises a winch assembly 1, a brake assembly 2, a mount assembly 3, a tensioning cable 4, and a wire grabber 5. The winch assembly 1 functions as the hub to which the brake assembly 2, mount assembly 3 and tensioning cable 4 are all connected. The brake assembly 2 is used to keep the fence wire under constant, even tension, while the mount assembly 3 allows the user to affix the fence stretcher to any brace, such as a pipe, railroad tie, tee post, etc. Fence wire is placed in the wire grabber 5, which is connected to the tensioning cable 4, and is held under the desired tension. The present invention can be used to stretch any type of wire, cable, etc.

In reference to FIG. 7-8, the winch assembly 1 is the central hub of the present invention and comprises a winch frame 11, a ratchet drum 12, a pawl 15, a winch crank 13, a winch shaft 14, and an adjoining gear 16. The winch frame 11 provides a three-wall support structure for the ratchet drum 12, pawl 15, winch crank 13 and winch shaft 14. The ratchet drum 12 is a spool that is positioned within the winch frame 11 between the two side walls of the winch frame 11. The ratchet drum 12 is supported within the winch frame 11 by the winch shaft 14. The winch shaft 14 traverses through the two side walls of the winch frame 11 and axially through the ratchet drum 12. While the winch shaft 14 is permanently connected to the ratchet drum 12, the winch shaft 14 is rotatably connected to the winch frame 11 by means of a plurality of bearings. In this way, the ratchet drum 12 is able to rotate about the axis of the winch shaft 14 while being positioned within the winch frame 11. Each of the plurality of bearings is connected to the winch frame 11, with the winch shaft 14 traversing through each of the plurality of bearings. The plurality of bearing reduces the friction between the winch shaft 14 and the winch frame 11, thus allowing the winch shaft 14 to more freely rotate.

In reference to FIG. 3, one end of the tensioning cable 4 is connected to the ratchet drum 12 and the remaining tensioning cable 4 is coiled around the ratchet drum 12. The wire grabber 5 is attached to the tensioning cable 4 opposite the ratchet drum 12. The wire grabber 5 may be attached directly to the tensioning cable 4 or attached to the tensioning cable 4 by a cable hook, loop, etc. The wire grabber 5 securely holds a length of fence wire such that the fence wire can be stretched along the desired path. Once attached to the wire grabber 5, the fence wire is stretched to a predetermined tension by rotating the ratchet drum 12. As the ratchet drum 12 is rotated, the tensioning cable 4 further coils around the ratchet drum 12, thus pulling the fence wire tight along the desired path.

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, rotation of the winch shaft 14 by the user is carried out through the winch crank 13. The winch crank 13 is positioned adjacent to the winch frame 11 and axially engages the adjoining gear 16. The adjoining gear 16 is rotatably mounted inside the winch frame 11, such that the adjoining gear 16 rotates as the winch crank 13 is turned. The ratchet drum 12 comprises a gear end 121, with the gear end 121 being positioned adjacent to the winch crank 13. The gear end 121 is positioned in such a way as to allow the adjoining gear 16 to engage the gear end 121. In this way, the winch crank 13 is mechanically coupled to the ratchet drum 12. As the winch crank 13 is turned, the adjoining gear 16 rotates within the winch frame 11. Rotation of the adjoining gear 16 forces the gear end 121 to rotate and in turn the entire ratchet drum 12 and shaft rotate. The winch crank 13 may be a ratcheting type handle or the winch assembly 1 may be designed such that a socket wrench may be used as the crank. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the adjoining gear 16 is not present. Rather than being attached to the adjoining gear 16, the winch crank 13 is axially attached to the winch shaft 14, such that rotation of the ratchet drum 12 is directly controlled by the turning of the winch crank 13, as shown in FIG. 10.

In reference to FIG. 9, the pawl 15 is used to inhibit rotation of the ratchet drum 12 in one direction when the pawl 15 is in an active position. The pawl 15 is pivotally connected to the winch frame 11 by a flip lever, or similar mechanism, around the gear end 121 of the ratchet drum 12. The flip lever is used to position the pawl 15 from the active position to an inactive position and vice versa. When the pawl 15 is in the active position, the pawl 15 engages the gear end 121. In the active position, the ratchet drum 12 can only be rotated in the direction required to tighten the stretched fence wire. By disengaging the pawl 15 from the gear end 121 and returning the pawl 15 to the inactive position, the ratchet drum 12 is allowed to freely rotate in both directions.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the winch assembly 1 further comprises a first roller and a second roller. Both the first roller and second roller are attached to the winch frame 11 in front of the ratchet drum 12. The first roller is positioned across the top of the winch frame 11 and the second roller is positioned across the bottom of the winch frame 11, with the tensioning cable 4 passing in between the first roller and the second roller. The first roller and the second roller assist in the alignment of the tensioning cable 4 and fence wire and also assist in the tensioning cable 4 being fed from the ratchet drum 12.

In reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, rotation of the ratchet drum 12 is also controlled by the brake assembly 2. The brake assembly 2 comprises a brake disc 21, a caliper bracket 22, an actuating mechanism 23, and a pair of brake pads 24. The caliper bracket 22 provides the support structure for the actuating mechanism 23 and the pair of brake pads 24. Together, the caliper bracket 22, actuating mechanism 23, and pair of brake pads 24 function as the brake caliper in a traditional disc brake system. The caliper bracket 22 is adjacently connected to the winch frame 11 opposite the winch handle, while the brake disc 21 is axially connected to the end of the winch shaft 14 that is adjacent to the caliper bracket 22. The caliper bracket 22 forms a channel at one end, which allows the brake disc 21 to be positioned into the caliper bracket 22.

In reference to FIG. 3, the pair of brake pads 24 and the actuating mechanism 23 are used to inhibit the motion of the brake disc 21 and are positioned within the caliper bracket 22. The brake pads are positioned within the caliper bracket 22 such that when the brake disc 21 is positioned into the caliper bracket 22, the brake disc 21 is also positioned in between the pair of brake pads 24. The actuating mechanism 23 is operatively coupled to the pair of brake pads 24, such that activation of the actuating mechanism 23 causes the pair of brake pads 24 to clamp together around the brake disc 21. This frictional engagement between the pair of brake pads 24 and the brake disc 21 results in inhibited rotation of the brake disc 21 as the caliper bracket 22 is fixedly connected to the winch frame 11. Typically, the actuating mechanism 23 consists of at least one piston which either engages the pair of brake pads 24 or is connected to the pair of brake pads 24. A controlling device of the actuating mechanism 23 directs the motion of the at least one piston to either engage or disengage the pair of brake pads 24 from the brake disc 21.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuating mechanism 23 comprises a caliper lever 231, a break-over-center lever 233, and a link member 234, as shown in FIG. 6. Together, the caliper lever 231, the break-over-center lever 233 and the link member 234 function as the controlling device. One end of the break-over-center lever 233 is pivotally connected to the caliper bracket 22, while the link member 234 is pivotally connected to both the break-over-center lever 233 and the caliper lever 231. The caliper lever 231 is operatively coupled to the pair of brake pads 24 through the at least one piston or a similar device. The break-over-center lever 233 can be manipulated from a disengaged position to an engaged position and vice versa. In the engaged position, the break-over-center lever 233 and the link member 234 lock into position ensuring that the pair of brake pads 24 does not inadvertently disengage the brake disc 21. Although it has been described in the preferred embodiment, the actuating mechanism 23 may include the use of a hydraulic system, magnetic system, or similar system.

Depending on the type of fence, terrain, user's preference, etc., it may be necessary to adjust the tension at which the fence wire is stretched. In order to adjust this tension, the force with which the pair of brake pads 24 clamps the brake disc 21 must be adjusted by either moving the pair of brake pads 24 closer to or farther away from the brake disc 21. The position of the pair of brake pads 24 is adjusted through the use of a lock nut and a set bolt. The set bolt traverses through the lock nut into the caliper bracket 22 and is mechanically coupled to the pair of brake pads 24. In this way, the position of the set bolt determines the position of the pair of brake pads 24. In order to adjust the position of the set bolt, the lock nut must first be loosened. The set bolt can then be turned clockwise for a higher tension or turned counterclockwise for a lower tension. Once the pair of brake pads 24 is the desired distance from the brake disc 21, the lock nut can then be tightened in order to secure the set bolt in the desired position.

In reference to FIG. 4, the mount assembly 3 is positioned adjacent to the winch frame 11 opposite the ratchet drum 12 and allows the fence stretcher to be attached to a brace structure. The mount assembly 3 comprises a mounting bracket 31, a bracket shaft 32, a first hinge plate 33, a second hinge plate 34, and a mounting strap 35. The mounting bracket 31 is adjacently connected to the winch frame 11, with the bracket shaft 32 being connected along the mounting bracket 31. Both the first hinge plate 33 and the second hinge plate 34 are pivotally connected to the bracket shaft 32, such that the angle formed between the first hinge plate 33 and the second hinge plate 34 is variable in order to accommodate the different shape of different brace structures. This allows the fence stretcher to be mounted onto most, if not all, types of brace structures.

In further reference to FIG. 4, the mounting strap 35 is attached to both the first hinge plate 33 and the second hinge plate 34. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a hook is connected to one end of the mounting strap 35 and a loop is attached to the second hinge plate 34. The hook engages the loop to attach the one end of the mounting strap 35 to the first hinge plate 33. A strap clamp, or similar mechanism, is connected to the first hinge plate 33. The end of the mounting strap 35 opposite the hook is inserted through the strap clamp and the mounting strap 35 is pulled to the desired tightness. The strap clamp is then locked in order to securely hold the mounting strap 35 in place. Any other method may be used to attach the mounting strap 35 to the first hinge plate 33 and second hinge plate 34, such that the mounting strap 35 has a variable length that can be positioned around a brace structure.

The following provides an example method of use for the present invention. A user wishes to lay fence from point A to point B with tee posts spaced every twenty feet. The user first attaches the fence stretcher at a desired height to a brace structure at point A. With the first hinge plate 33 and the second hinge plate 34 pressed against the brace structure, the mounting strap 35 is pulled tight around the opposite side of the brace structure and clamped into place. Fence wire is first attached to the last tee post at point B and then attached to the wire grabber 5. Once the fence wire is attached, the user can then turn the winch crank 13 in order to rotate the ratchet drum 12 and coil the tensioning wire. When the fence wire is over tensioned, the user then engages the pair of brake pads 24 to the brake disc 21 by pulling up on the break-over-center lever 233. The winch crank 13 is then detached from the winch frame 11 in order to prevent the winch crank 13 from getting tangled in the tensioning cable 4 or fence wire, or from otherwise interfering with the operation of the fence stretcher. With the brake assembly 2 engaged and the winch crank 13 detached, the user can then disengage the pawl 15 from the gear end 121 of the ratchet drum 12. This allows the ratchet drum 12 to rotate in an opposite direction, providing some slack to the tensioning cable 4 and fence wire until the predetermined tension is reached. The user can then go from tee post to tee post attaching the fence wire. As the fence wire is pulled and attached to the tee posts, the tensioning cable 4 is fed from the ratchet drum 12, thus maintaining the desired tension in the fence wire. Excess fence wire should be mounted behind the fence stretcher such that it can be fed to the user. Once the fence wire has been tied of at point A at the desired height, the user can simply adjust the height of the fence stretcher and repeat the above process for the remaining levels of fence to be placed.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence stretcher comprises: a winch assembly; a brake assembly; a mount assembly; a tensioning cable; a wire grabber; the winch assembly comprises a winch frame, a ratchet drum, a pawl, a winch crank, and a winch shaft; the brake assembly comprises a brake disc, a caliper bracket, an actuating mechanism, and a pair of brake pads; the ratchet drum being positioned within the winch frame; the winch shaft traversing through the winch frame and the ratchet drum; the winch shaft being permanently connected to the ratchet drum; the winch shaft being rotatably connected to the winch frame; the brake disc being axially connected to the winch shaft; the brake disc being positioned into the caliper bracket; the caliper bracket being adjacently connected to the winch frame; the mounting assembly being adjacently positioned to the winch frame opposite the ratchet drum; the tensioning cable being connected to the ratchet drum; the tensioning cable being coiled around the ratchet drum; and the wire grabber being attached to the tensioning cable opposite the ratchet drum.
 2. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the pair of brake pads and the actuating mechanism being positioned within the caliper bracket; the disc brake being positioned in between the pair of brake pads; and the actuating mechanism being operatively coupled to the pair of brake pads, wherein activating the actuating mechanism forces the pair of brake pads to clamp around the brake disc.
 3. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the pair of brake pads frictionally engaging the brake disc.
 4. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the actuating mechanism comprises a caliper lever, a break-over-center lever, and a link member; the break-over-center lever being pivotally connected to the caliper bracket; the link member being pivotally connected to both the break-over-center lever and the caliper lever; and the caliper lever being operatively coupled to the pair of brake pads, wherein pulling on the break-over-center lever forces the pair of brake pads to clamp around the brake disc.
 5. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the ratchet drum comprises a gear end; the gear end being positioned adjacent to the winch crank; and the pawl being pivotally connected to the winch frame around the gear end.
 6. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 5 comprises: the pawl engaging the gear end, wherein the ratchet drum may only rotate about the winch shaft in one direction.
 7. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the mounting assembly comprises a mounting bracket, a bracket shaft, a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate, and a mounting strap; the mounting bracket being adjacently connected to the winch frame; the bracket shaft being connected along the mounting bracket; the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate being pivotally connected to the bracket shaft; and the mounting strap being attached to both the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate.
 8. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the winch assembly further comprises an adjoining gear; the ratchet drum comprises a gear end; the adjoining gear being rotatably mounted to the winch frame; the adjoining gear engaging the gear end; the winch crank axially engaging the adjoining gear; and the winch crank being positioned adjacent to the winch frame opposite the caliper bracket.
 9. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 1 comprises: the winch crank being axially attached to the winch shaft; and the winch crank being positioned adjacent to the winch frame opposite the caliper bracket.
 10. A fence stretcher comprises: a winch assembly; a brake assembly; a mount assembly; a tensioning cable; a wire grabber; the winch assembly comprises a winch frame, a ratchet drum, a pawl, a winch crank, and a winch shaft; the brake assembly comprises a brake disc, a caliper bracket, an actuating mechanism, and a pair of brake pads; the actuating mechanism comprises a caliper lever, a break-over-center lever, and a link member; the ratchet drum being positioned within the winch frame; the winch shaft traversing through the winch frame and the ratchet drum; the winch shaft being permanently connected to the ratchet drum; the winch shaft being rotatably connected to the winch frame; the brake disc being axially connected to the winch shaft; the brake disc being positioned into the caliper bracket; the caliper bracket being adjacently connected to the winch frame; the mounting assembly being adjacently positioned to the winch frame opposite the ratchet drum; the tensioning cable being connected to the ratchet drum; the tensioning cable being coiled around the ratchet drum; and the wire grabber being attached to the tensioning cable opposite the ratchet drum.
 11. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the pair of brake pads and the actuating mechanism being positioned within the caliper bracket; the brake disc being positioned in between the pair of brake pads; the break-over-center lever being pivotally connected to the caliper bracket; the link member being pivotally connected to both the break-over-center lever and the caliper lever; and the caliper lever being operatively coupled to the pair of brake pads, wherein pulling on the break-over-center lever forces the pair of brake pads to clamp around the brake disc.
 12. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the pair of brake pads frictionally engaging the brake disc.
 13. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the mounting assembly comprises a mounting bracket, a bracket shaft, a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate, and a mounting strap; the mounting bracket being adjacently connected to the winch frame; the bracket shaft being connected along the mounting bracket; the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate being pivotally connected to the bracket shaft; and the mounting strap being attached to both the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate.
 14. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 10 comprises: the winch assembly further comprises an adjoining gear; the ratchet drum comprises a gear end; the adjoining gear being rotatably mounted to the winch frame; the adjoining gear engaging the gear end; the winch crank axially engaging the adjoining gear; the winch crank being positioned adjacent to the winch frame opposite the caliper bracket; the gear end being positioned adjacent to the winch crank; and the pawl being pivotally connected to the winch frame around the gear end.
 15. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 14 comprises: the pawl engaging the gear end, wherein the ratchet drum may only rotate about the winch shaft in one direction.
 16. A fence stretcher comprises: a winch assembly; a brake assembly; a mount assembly; a tensioning cable; a wire grabber; the winch assembly comprises a winch frame, a ratchet drum, a pawl, a winch crank, and a winch shaft; the brake assembly comprises a brake disc, a caliper bracket, an actuating mechanism, and a pair of brake pads; the mounting assembly comprises a mounting bracket, a bracket shaft, a first hinge plate, a second hinge plate, and a mounting strap; the actuating mechanism comprises a caliper lever, a break-over-center lever, and a link member; the ratchet drum being positioned within the winch frame; the winch shaft traversing through the winch frame and the ratchet drum; the winch shaft being permanently connected to the ratchet drum; the winch shaft being rotatably connected to the winch frame; the brake disc being axially connected to the winch shaft; the brake disc being positioned into the caliper bracket; the caliper bracket being adjacently connected to the winch frame; the mounting assembly being adjacently positioned to the winch frame opposite the ratchet drum; the mounting bracket being adjacently connected to the winch frame; the bracket shaft being connected along the mounting bracket; the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate being pivotally connected to the bracket shaft; the mounting strap being attached to both the first hinge plate and the second hinge plate; the tensioning cable being connected to the ratchet drum; the tensioning cable being coiled around the ratchet drum; and the wire grabber being attached to the tensioning cable opposite the ratchet drum.
 17. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the pair of brake pads and the actuating mechanism being positioned within the caliper bracket; the brake disc being positioned in between the pair of brake pads; the break-over-center lever being pivotally connected to the caliper bracket; the link member being pivotally connected to both the break-over-center lever and the caliper lever; and the caliper lever being operatively coupled to the pair of brake pads, wherein pulling on the break-over-center lever forces the pair of brake pads to clamp around the brake disc.
 18. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the pair of brake pads frictionally engaging the brake disc.
 19. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 16 comprises: the winch assembly further comprises an adjoining gear; the ratchet drum comprises a gear end; the adjoining gear being rotatably mounted to the winch frame; the adjoining gear engaging the gear end; the winch crank axially engaging the adjoining gear; the winch crank being positioned adjacent to the winch frame opposite the caliper bracket; the gear end being positioned adjacent to the winch crank; and the pawl being pivotally connected to the winch frame around the gear end.
 20. The fence stretcher as claimed in claim 19 comprises: the pawl engaging the gear end, wherein the ratchet drum may only rotate about the winch shaft in one direction. 